Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (2011)

Retrieved 2011 from

The implementation of the Improving eye and ear health services for Indigenous Australians for better education and employment outcomes measure is managed by the Eyes and Ears Section of the Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing. The measure expands eye and ear health services for Indigenous Australians, providing $58.3 million over four years from 2009-10.

Abstract adapted from Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing

2006

Communicable Disease Network Australia (2006)

Guidelines for the public health management of trachoma in Australia.

Canberra: Department of Health and Ageing

These guidelines establish a minimum best-practice approach for the public health management of trachoma in Australia. The content includes a brief history of trachoma and discusses:

prevalence of trachoma in Australia

responsibility for trachoma control activities

the World Health Organization SAFE strategy

methods of educating the health workforce and engaging the community.

The guidelines acknowledge that appropriate engagement with the local community, both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous people, is a pre-requisite to implementing the WHO SAFE (Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness and Environmental improvement) strategy and therefore an essential part of effective trachoma control.

Commonwealth of Australia (2005)

National framework for action to promote eye health and prevent avoidable blindness and vision loss.

Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia

The National framework for action to promote eye health and prevent avoidable blindness and vision loss (National eye health framework) was developed in response to World Health Assembly resolution WHA 56.26 which calls on all member countries to develop national vision plans to eliminate avoidable blindness by the year 2020.

The National eye health framework aims to provide a blueprint for nationally coordinated action by governments, health professionals, non-government organisations, industry and individuals to work in partnership to reduce the incidence of avoidable vision loss in Australia. It does not focus on any one specific eye condition, but rather seeks to address the underlying issues common to the prevention and treatment of eye disease and vision loss in general. The Framework sets out strategies in the following key areas for action:

reducing the risk of eye disease and injury

increasing early detection

improving access to care

improving the quality and systems of care

improving the evidence base.

The Framework document is accompanied by a background paper entitled Eye health in Australia which provides background information about eye disease in Australia, including the prevalence of eye disease and injury, current treatment options and the economic and social impact of blindness and vision loss. It also provides an overview of the international and national policy context, information about the Australian eye health workforce, major eye health programs and services and related public health strategies.